Reporter: Shen Ran
In September, Liu Jiangyue, who should have been on the campus of the University of London in the United Kingdom as planned, was working in a pet shop in Nanjing while waiting for the start of the university online course; he should have been attending a class at Imperial College. Xue Zihao, however, could only have group discussions with classmates in different time zones across the network cable and time difference.
The new crown pneumonia epidemic that has swept the world has blocked the plans of thousands of Chinese students to study abroad. They are faced with a "dilemma". They have received the admission notice, but cannot register for school normally.
Due to the impact of the epidemic, a large proportion of Chinese students admitted to foreign universities this year chose to stay in the country for online classes and entered the first year of their study abroad career.
Photo courtesy of interviewee
Online classes at home, or online classes abroad
Liu Jiangyue, who graduated from the International High School of Nanjing Yuhuatai Middle School in June this year, received the admission letter from University College London as early as February. She was informed by the school that all the courses in the first semester of the university will be conducted online.
This is a good choice for Liu Jiangyue’s family who is considering postponing admission for one year. “Although I have been looking forward to living and studying on a university campus, I think even if I take classes online in China, it will not affect my study. effectiveness."
Xue Zihao, who also received the admission letter from Imperial College London in April of this year, told reporters, “At the end of August, the Imperial College Students’ Federation convened some Chinese students to hold a meeting in Shanghai and gave several plans. Because the campus is closed. Most of the courses in the university this semester have been converted online. If you choose to study at school, you can only be isolated in the dormitory to take online classes; or you can choose to take online classes in China. According to the epidemic situation at the beginning of next year, Plan again; of course there is another option to postpone enrollment for one year.
After discussing with their families, the two chose to take online classes in China. “Many students made this choice.” Xue Zihao told reporters.
What the international students and parents did not expect was that after the end of the high school course, because of the epidemic, they would get the longest "vacation".
Photo courtesy of interviewee
The situation faced by the two prospective international students is not just an individual problem.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Education, the total number of Chinese students studying abroad in 2018 was 662,100. There are also more and more families in domestic first- and second-tier cities who choose to let their children study abroad at the undergraduate level.
Just take Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, as an example. In 2020, more than 1,000 high school graduates will be admitted by foreign universities, waiting for early admission.
"Just like the information received by students Liu and Xue, most schools in many countries around the world have begun to provide online courses; secondly, for Chinese students, some schools have also given domestic admission and credits recognized by both countries; In addition, for Chinese students who have already studied abroad but are unable to return to school due to objective reasons such as the epidemic, in addition to online classes in China, some schools will also recommend temporary appointments in some famous domestic schools based on the students’ existing academic records and subjects. "Cheng Yan, who is in charge of student study abroad planning at Nanjing Yuhuatai Middle School International High School, said that recently, the school has also paid attention to the Ministry of Education's series of policy measures, such as allowing some cooperative education institutions and projects, and recruiting some overseas students who meet specific conditions. , To clear the way for international high school students and provide more options for studying.
Taking classes with teachers separated by "jet lag" is a test that many college freshmen must face this year.
Photo courtesy of interviewee
University life started in "jet lag"
After deciding to stay in China for online classes, Xue Zihao took advantage of the summer vacation time to study professional-related content in advance, and also took the driver's license test; in September, he signed up for an online tutorial paper writing class officially opened by the school.
Due to the time difference between China and Britain, the course time is from 6 pm to 10 pm China time. The British teacher teaches how to write thesis. "I hope to be familiar with the language environment of the British university classroom in advance."
According to Xue Zihao, there are more than 20 students from all over the world in this short-term course. Everyone will face the problem of jet lag. "This must be overcome."
What made him regretful was that in the group activities, the two links of searching for materials in the university library and displaying them in the college could not be realized. "Everyone can only simulate'actual combat' online, and lack the realism of going to university. "
Liu Jiangyue’s university courses will officially start on September 28, "I have previewed some university courses in advance. At present, you can check the course schedule on the university website. There are almost 6 hours of courses every day. From 5 pm to 2 am, there is a lot of self-study content."
In Liu Jiangyue's view, "The important thing is to stay awake and attend classes, which is equivalent to living a life in China with the time difference in the UK. I heard that the school also considers adjusting the class time according to the time difference in the country where most students live."
In addition to studying, Liu Jiangyue also made some interesting attempts during this sudden "long holiday". "I worked two jobs. The first one was as an assistant teacher in an English school; now I work in a pet Work as a clerk in the store." The little girl who likes pet cats smiled, "It's fun to be with the little animals I like all day long."
"For international high school graduates and their families this year, they are indeed facing an unprecedented problem caused by the epidemic. We also encourage students and parents to use this special time to try some internships in advance to get in touch with the society. Or to make some preparations for future research and study, on the one hand, it can reduce the pressure, on the other hand, it can also achieve the effect of "sharpening the knife and not cutting wood by mistake"." Cheng Yan suggested.
Interviewee's study and life in international high schools.
Photo courtesy of interviewee
Under the global epidemic: the direction of studying abroad
Compared with the students who have already received the admission letter this year, the students who are facing choices are more tortured.
Mr. Liu, a citizen of Nanjing, told reporters that choosing a high school international class for his son who is in the third year of junior high school, seamlessly connecting with undergraduate admissions from foreign universities, was originally the "road to higher education" that the whole family had already decided. "It seems that the future is a little unclear. "What will happen to the global epidemic this autumn and winter? Will there be changes in the overseas study policy of various countries after the epidemic?" These questions all worried and confused Mr. Liu.
From the 2020 "Nanjing Senior High School Entrance Examination Guide", it can be understood that this year there are still nearly 2,000 ordinary high school international class degrees in the city that are reserved for students who, like Mr. Liu's son, choose international courses and plan to study abroad.
For these families, the first and most important choice in their children's lives is extremely difficult this year.
Lv Xiaoyan, a consultant who has done study abroad planning for many families, said, “The information we currently receive is that more than 150 countries, 11,000 comprehensive universities, institutions and other colleges around the world recognize the TOEFL test scores, which gives the intention to study abroad. Families, more countries and schools to choose from."
"During the enrollment process this year, we have indeed found that the number of students and families who are determined to study abroad has decreased. For families who have planned their study abroad a long time ago, this year's situation may reduce some of their'competitors'; In addition, some countries that have introduced preferential study abroad policies will also attract more international students." Hu Quanquan, executive director of the International High School of Nanjing Yuhuatai Middle School, said frankly in an interview that this year is a time for the international classes of international high schools or ordinary high schools. Tests and challenges, "Of course, this will also promote schools to improve the quality of teachers and teaching, consider opening courses compatible with multi-national teaching systems, and give students more choices."